1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETNA CITY COUNCIL
Monday December 22, 2025
Members of the Etna City Council met on the 22
nd day of December in person and
TELECONFERENCE (Zoom). Mayor Cliff Munson called the meeting to order and led in the salute to the flag of the United States of America.
1. Call to Order:
a. Roll Call
Council members John Stacher, Matt Eastlick, Jason Deppen, and Brandon Fawaz were present. Mayor Cliff Munson was on Zoom.
2. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
None.
3. Consent Calendar:
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting November 3, 2025
b. Minutes of the Special Meeting November 17, 2025
c. Minutes of the Regular Meeting November 24, 2025
d. Minutes of the Special Meeting December 5, 2025
e. Minutes of the Special Meeting December 10, 2025
f. Invoices Approvals
Councilmember Deppen made a motion to approve, Stacher seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Munson
Abstain: Fawaz
4. Current Business:
a. Proclamation Honoring Police Chief Josh Short for 25 Years of Dedicated Service to the City of Etna
Councilmember Fawaz presented and read the proclamation to the audience.
Audience member Ray Waller was the mayor 25 years ago when Josh Short was hired. Waller congratulated Chief Short for his years of service. Chief Short thanked the Council, audience, and community for their recognition. b. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 230 Amending Title 17, Zoning of the Etna Municipal Code
City Planner Richard Tinsman was on Zoom and gave a background on this project.
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to make the finding that the project does not have the potential to result in a significant adverse effect on the environment and is exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Councilmember Deppen seconded and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Fawaz, Munson
2 Councilmember Eastlick made a motion to adopt Ordinance 230, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Etna Amending Title 17, Zoning, of the Etna Municipal Code. Councilmember Stacher seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Munson, Fawaz
c. Discussion: Review of 2020 Water Rate Increase and Five-Year Study The City Council discussed the past water rate study. City Attorney Andrew Jared shared comments regarding setting rates.
d. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 228 – An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Etna Adopting the Etna Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map and Adding Chapter 15.16.010 to the Etna Municipal Code Councilmember Stacher made a motion to accept the Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map with reservations. City Attorney Andrew Jared gave a background on this. This is a state requirement to adopt this ordinance. More discussion. Councilmember Stacher made a motion to adopt an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Etna, California, adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone designated by the State Fire Marshal and reading by title only. Mayor Munson seconded the motion.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Munson
No: Deppen, Fawaz
e. Direction to Enter into Agreement with Linda Moak Regarding Assignment of Property
Mayor Munson and Councilmember Fawaz recused themselves from this item due to conflict. City Attorney Andrew Jared gave a background on this item.
Councilmember Stacher made a motion to direct Councilmember Deppen to enter into the agreement. Councilmember Eastlick seconded, and the motion passed.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen
f. Resolution 2025-014 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Etna Declaring Certain Equipment as Surplus and Authorizing Disposal Councilmember Eastlick made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-014 declaring certain equipment as surplus and authorizing disposal. Councilmember Stacher seconded the motion. Mayor Munson requested adding a timeline for getting rid of the equipment. Councilmember Fawaz added that if there is no sale on the auction site then staff will sell them privately for an additional 30 days.
Ayes: Stacher, Eastlick, Deppen, Munson, Fawaz
g. Discuss/Approve EMT/Firefighter Position Being a Standard (Permanent), Fulltime, Shared Position Between the Fire and Ambulance Departments Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood presented survey results to the Council showing positive feedback toward the position. More discussion. Fire Chief Jake Deegan also expressed his appreciation for the position which has been very beneficial to the fire 3 department. Discussion regarding fiscal analysis for creating and keeping this position. The Council agrees to continue with the position. No action taken.
5. Department Reports:
Police Chief Josh Short provided stats in the Council packet. Chief Short thanked the Public Works staff for helping with the PAL party.
Public Works Director Dan Burbank reported that they have been busy. Discussion about all the rain that has been received in the last few weeks and the sewer ponds.
Fire Chief Jake Deegan gave a brief report. They are working on upfitting one of the fire trucks.
Ambulance Director Teresa Arrwood gave a brief report and thanked Dan Burbank for all of his help.
City Clerk Pamela Eastlick gave an update on the new software transition and training.
Eastlick is planning on closing out the year and emailing out financials.
6. City Council Statements and Requests:
None.
7. Closed Session:
a. Public Employment – Appointment (Pursuant to Government Code §54957)
1. Police Department – Police Officer
The City Council had no reportable action.
2. Fire Department – Volunteers (3)
The City Council unanimously approved the hiring of three volunteers to the Fire Department.
b. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9)
The City Council had no reportable action.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mayor Cliff Munson adjourned the meeting at 6:48 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Bennett
Asst. City Clerk